Panasonic has revealed the DMC-FZ200 - a 24X superzoom with an impressive constant-F2.8 lens and high-resolution electronic viewfinder. That fast lens means that it should be easier to capture high-quality images at the full extent of the zoom, without having to use high ISO settings. It also has a 1.3m dot equivalent electronic viewfinder, as featured in the company's more expensive mirrorless cameras. It also has the ability to shoot at 12 frames per second and can capture 1080p video at 60fps or 720p at up to 120fps.

The camera's 25-600mmm equivalent lens features an improved version of the company's highest-grade Power OIS stabilization system and 'Nano Surface Coating' to minimize lens flare. We've prepared a hands-on preview of the FZ200, which looks at what these features mean in the real world.

PANASONIC INTRODUCES THE LUMIX FZ200, A NEW SUPER-ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA WITH FULL RANGE F2.8 APERTURE AND 24x OPTICAL ZOOM

The New LUMIX FZ200 Features High Speed Response and Shoots Full-HD Video

July 18, 2012 (Secaucus, NJ) – Panasonic today announced the LUMIX DMC-FZ200 which features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra-wide angle lens with a 24x powerful optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm) and achieves full range F2.8 aperture. The newest addition to the LUMIX FZ-series of digital cameras, the LUMIX FZ200 is the first digital compact camera*1 to offer full range F2.8 aperture at 600mm, making it possible to capture moving subjects clearly with fast shutter speed, even from a distance.

A newly developed 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and high performance image processing LSI Venus Engine provide the LUMIX FZ200 with high speed response, high sensitivity recording and superb image quality. Light Speed AF (auto focus) combines with the LUMIX FZ200’s ability to capture high speed burst shooting at 12 fps (frames per second) in full resolution and a quick start-up time of approximately .95 seconds, so users never miss even the most fleeting shooting opportunities. Furthermore, High Speed Video enables users to record fast-moving subjects at 120 fps (NTSC/HD)*2 or 240 fps (NTSC/VGA)*2.

“Panasonic continues to strive to meet the photography demands of its consumers by providing unique features and advanced technology in all our LUMIX digital cameras,” said Marc Sorkin, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. “With the 24x Optical Zoom and full range F2.8 aperture, the FZ200 is a versatile, powerful camera that provides users with endless options to take creative and high-quality images and videos.”

A newly developed 0.2-inch EVF (Electronic View Finder) features a 1,312,000-dot equivalent high resolution, 100% field of view and minimum screen freeze. The LUMIX FZ200’s body has been designed as a full-fledged shooting style digital compact camera with ultimate controllability. The side lever has been redesigned in the stroke and locating position, smoothing zoom functions. Focus can also be easily changed with this lever, allowing users to concentrate on shutter operation and get the perfect photographic moment.

The LUMIX FZ200 is able to produce not only stunning photos but also stunning full-HD in 1,920x1,080 60p videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4) and MP4*6 formats. The powerful 24x optical zoom with 2-step zoom and POWER O.I.S. is available in video recording and high-quality Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator offers highly realistic, powerful sound for videos. The stereo zoom microphone features a zoom noise reduction system and an Auto Wind Cut function to reduce background noise from wind. Additionally, Active Mode encourages active video recording at wide angle and the popular iA mode allows users to easily create motion images by simple pointing and hitting the record button. Creative Video mode allows users to set the shutter speed and aperture manually to bring special effects to videos, shoot fast moving objects and shoot subjects at various distances.

Pricing and availability for the LUMIX DMC-FZ200 will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping. For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

*1 As of July 18, 2012.*2 The recording format is 30p (NTSC) / 25p (PAL).** 30p(NTSC) / 25p(PAL) in MP4 recording.*3 For photo only*4 Sound will not be recorded with [MINIATURE EFFECT] and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded. (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long)*5 The picture size may be reduced*6 30p in MP4 recording• Motion pictures in [MP4] can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. Also, motion picture recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4 GB.

•Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.•The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards.•"AVCHD Progressive", "AVCHD", the "AVCHD Progressive" Logo and the "AVCHD" Logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.•Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.•HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.•All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.•This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory Cards. (When using an SDHC Memory Card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)•Some accessories are not available in some countries.•The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.•Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Is a very strong configuration. I'm a FZ fan by long time, begining with fz18 and fz50, but I don't buy one until now becose every time there was other priority. I'm own of 4 dslr now and few lenses for this class. I want to buy fz 48 but it was the new fz100. I was a luky don't buy it becose have very bad feedback. But we have new fz150 that have not broblems. But until I can buy it, we have a new one, fz200. This one is very good for me in sports. Now I use for my picture a D300 and D5100 with 70-200 f/2,8 and 24-70 f/2,8 and for wide tamron 18-50 f/2,8. But for me is to weight all this equipment and I want this fz200 to have all in one. And again, until I can buy it I change my mind. Not for the fz200 becose that is clear tha best, but becose I see that the most of camera manufacturers start to wi-fi controled camera. And now I'm waiting for the new fz300 wi-fi controled and whay not with NFC, GPS, Bluetooth, G3/G4 and others.

Throwing more gadgets onto it will not make up for the poor image quality. Look at the new test samples in the new review. It pales in comparison to a 1/1.7" LX7 and others with a larger sensor. Seeing this data reassures me that my X-S1 with it's 2/3" sensor, although very small, wasn't a mistake.

It is saddening to see such nice optics be put onto such a tiny sensor. It kind of defeats the purpose... as one is cancelling out much of the gains from the other. It is starting to be insulting, seeing manufacturers still offering a JOKE of a sensor, and taking the entire market for imbeciles who apparently don't understand the benefit of a larger sensor.

Realy the optics is such tiny like the sensor. That explain this price of 500$. If you try to put a little bit bigger sensor in this configuration, you will see that is necessary to enlarge the optics. Look how bigger is the lens for 1/1.7" but for a smoller focal lens. Look to micro for third sistem, that mean about 1/1,33" sensor and will see the biggest focal lens is 200 mm but don't wish to 2.8 aperture. If you go up in APS-C sensor world, you will see lens about 2-3.5 Kg and much of 500 mm longer for big focal lens of 500-600 mm and so bigger price, 10.000-12.000$. But again there is not 2,8 aperture. Max. f4. And if a lens maker insist to produce a 2,8 aperure at 500 mm focal lens it result a lens so big like one or two 20L water recipient. Look to Sigma 200-500 mm f2.8 at 25.000$ and may be understand why for this litle tiny plastic 25-600 mm f2,8 lens of fz200 there is not the possibility to have a biger sensor like this tiny 1/2,33" one.

A person has the reflex to assume that the constant f2.8 would make up for the small sensor... but it doesn't. Look at the noise in the test shots... the one with the queen's head on the coin... the image looks like a smudge!see here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz200/10it is just horrible!

Does anyone here realize how remarkable F2.8 at 600mm is? And with high quality Leica optics to boot.Go ahead and look up a Canon or Nikon PROFESSIONAL 600mm lens. the fastest you'll find is F4 and the lens alone will cost about $10,000. I'm not saying the FZ200 optics are better, but to be able to offer these specs (even if it is on a consumer grade/small sensor camera) at a $500-600 total camera price is truly AMAZING!Panasonic should sell alot of them.

having been satisfied with my FZ50 and has served me for many years (engineering field work documentation), i think its time to upgrade it to this. in my own humble experience, Leica lens produces better pics as compared to my other (slr) lens cameras on similar settings. but that's just me ;)

The samples that are out on the web show useable pictures at ISO 3200. This camera packs a lot into a small convenient package. I'm considering picking one up and selling my heavy, bulky DSLR equipment.

Having read many Reviews of cameras using the small 1/2.33 sensor (6 mm x 4.5 mm) it appears evident that beyond 12 MP both the low light performance and the resoluition suffer when more than 12 MP are crowded onto this smaall sensor. In almost all reviews of the 14-16 MP cameras based on the 1/2.33 sensor, reviewers comment that "noise reduction, even at base ISO, is blurring detail". And it would appear that this is not a limit imposed by technology, but by the laws of physics. When the pixel size gets down to about twice the wavelength of light, the only way to make real gians in resolution by increasing MP is to use a larger sensor. This would in turn necessitate a larger lens and heavier, much more expensive camera.

Humain being is far from reaching physic's limits, maybe we reach it using some precise configuration of technology but we can always change those conditions, maybe tomorrow we will discover new tech or create new materials that will be 100x more sensible to the light and those thiny sensors will be better than FF cmos-es of today, FZ150's 1/2.3 sensor has overall better performance than Sony 1/1.7 ccd on g9 and that just in 4 years so stop talking about those physicsPS I assume that with the same tech bigger sensor will be better than the smaller one

To Hud: you're (surely) right that 12 is better than 14 or 16 in this case. Yet, it's always useful to get some 2 or 4 more megapixels in order to crop what you have shot. All types of photography don't allow the photographer to adjust a precise framing in action, and these extra-megapixels offer then some confort afterward without forgetting even some peace of mind during the shooting as one can feel secure he will be able to re-work his pictures later, which includes "zooming by cropping".

I'm an FZ-100 owner and am very satisfied with this camera with the exception of two things:1: Low light (namely high ISO) performance.2: Limited range of aperture inherent in this type of camera... limited to F8.0 generally.12 Megapixels = 4000x3000 pixels while 14 Megapixels = 4320x3240 pixels. (FZ-100, for example). The physical size difference of the two rectangles isn't that great, really. I'd gladly trade those 2000 pixels for better low-light quality any day. Just my opinion. ;o)Y'all take care,Mick

The lens does not have the resolution for 12Mpix, let alone 16Mpix. Let's see, even if it is good (which I doubt, there are no such things as good superzooms) it's MTF80 is about 50lp/mm (or, in less technical terms, 100 ideal black-and-white lines per mm which are "only" 80% blurred together, details in less contrasty real world disappear much earlier). On the 6.08 x 4.56 mm sensor in this thing it gives 608x456 pixels (with the adjusting ones 80% blurred together), or 0.27 Mpix. As you can see, lens quality war is long overdue, and these kinds of megapixels on tiny sensors are just pure marketing ploy.

Even adjusting for the resolution loss of Bayer-filtered sensor, 1Mpx or even 0.5Mpx on a sensor this size is maximum which can provide any benefit.Please realize that at 12mpix the distance between two adjusting sensors is already less than 2 wavelengths of red light. It is ridiculous.

You start cramming more megapixels onto a sensor this small and you'll get terrible results. A lens like this would have been awesome 10 years ago, but now that large sensor cameras are more affordable, I've moved on.

Already my 8 years++ old 12x f 2.8 zoom on my FZ10 does MUCH better than your figures, how come ? (ask yourself, please).If your 'calculations' were to be anything recembling precise, then the full res. samples at Panasonic'c website must be a fake, but hey man, they're NOT ! Maybe 12mpix isn't 'the real thing',resolution is maybe a bit less, but hey, talking about < 1 mpix, one must laugh ! (check samples at Panasonic's website). Good luck !

My DMC-FZ100 could trigger a Canon Speedlite Flash like the 430 II and 580II. Just only trigger there no controle Menu in setting. Just wonder if this one can do. Don't think so but it would be great. Thought about that Pana/Canon.

Because people interested in this camera already realize that more megapixels isn't always better. I have a 12MP DSLR, and it shoots much better images than an 18MP small-sensor camera that I also own. Megapixels ain't everything!

I would trade off some size for a larger sensor, even theLX7 1/1.7" sensor would have been great. It's disappointing to see the useless 1/2.33" used in a camera of this class. Still looks a very nice camera and the RAW will help enormously. The jpg only versions are a waste of space. Let's hope IQ is good at the long end.

Some people want to cover a wide zoom range for travel photography yet need to keep it in a good budget. System cameras with lenses can get very expensive very fast.

I was among the people who took the superzoom route to cut down on expense. They're OK and you get very beautiful results out of them. Just check out the Panasonic Forum and see all the beautiful birding pictures they get out of these camera.

Highwave, you're right. Sorry but Peevee1, your comment is nothing but a tissue of prejudice. First, you haven't see any serious review about this camera and you do not know anything sure about its capacities. Second, while it's true a bigger sensor would have been highly appreciated, we can't ignore the fact small sensors have really been improved, partly owing the micro-lenses technology.Third and maybe overall, the choice of a camera depends of how you aim to use it. It depends on what you shoot and on your own ability to take picture generaly speaking. Don't forget 50 ago people were able to take photo masterpieces with very simple cameras.

It is easy to know even from specs alone. For example, on FZ60 (not a worst bridge camera, and brand new) maximum aperture goes to f/5.2 at the long end over 1/2.33" (27 mm2) sensor. The FF sensor is 840 mm2, or 31 times (about 5 stops) bigger. I.e. the equivalent aperture is f/29, or WAY beyond diffraction limit. You just cannot fool physics, the pictures WILL be blurred even at bright light (not to mention that at anything below sunlight amount of light reaching the tiny sensor at f/5.2 will be so low it will be mostly noise and noise-reduction artifacts).Another thing, if you ever seen MTF graphs, you know how hard it is to make a good zoom, even 3x, working well at all apertures (esp. wide open) and at all focal lengths. 24x-36x in a cheap camera? Please. And the smallest possible sensor.About the cost - E-PM1+14-42+40-150 (28-300eq) is cheaper (when bought together), lighter in the hands and way better. Not to mention E-PL1 ($190 with 14-42 refurb, +$100-$200 for 40-150).

Thakur Dalip Singh, stay away from prejudice please ! Nowadays we can see "serious photographers" use that sort of all-in-one camera during political meetings, interviews, and so on. They make a living with such tools, isn't it "serious" enough ? Of course this camera might be insufficent for very fast subjects like football matches and other always-moving-fast sports, but hey ! What that sort of things represents in all-in-all photography ?

Right. As I am considering a new luminous lens for my DSLR, I'm not sure now whether I will buy one or if I won't be waiting for that camera... I'm looking forward to read a good review especially about its AF performances (speed, sharpness) at 500 or 600mm. If it's good, by Jove, the deal will maybe be done.

Having done so many improvements, over the FZ50, how the great convenience of Manual zoom is missed out is really surprising. As proud owner of FZ50, Pana has disappointed on this aspect( may be there is a technical constraint?!).Probably they didnot read the many appeals of FZ50 owners on the pana forum.

I am the proud owner of FZ30. Since then I have been waiting for a better upgrade with a bigger/better sensor, good super zoom, fast aperture for entire zoom range and a manual zoom.In this model, my requirements were met w.r.t zoom, aperture.It would be nice if remote control is part of Box not optional. But I am still waiting for that classic, smooth manual zoom. I don't want to waste my battery life for that stupid motor movements.Hope the Lumix design team consideres my request in future coming models.

In a review elsewhere (sorry forgot where...), I've read that the XS-1's lens is very disappointing, among other things, having terrible resolution / sharpness figures in the mid-range... of all places. As soon as I read that, it was... RIP... Fuji XS-1... After all... all the best sensor / noise reduction tech in the world isn't worth squat... if there isn't any good glass in front of it.

Fuji spoils everything in the name of 'rearranging color array' bringing crude, unnatural output. Panny is beating the bush with 2.8 F, 1/2.3", which won't be as good bokeh or as sharp as a 5.6F 2/3 ".

RAW, PASM modes, decent EVF, hotshoe and bright lens with amazing constant aperture, all this packed in a body 0,5 kg heavy. This seems to be the king of ultrazooms, probably outperforming by it´s lens the bigger sensored X-S1. Great job!

Compare how much bigger the X-S1 with 2/3" sensor is. Let´s give the emperor what´s emperors´. This is a big achievement and definitely the best specidied ultrazoom; I don´t prefer ultrazooms but I have no problem admiting this fact.

Jens_G The problem of this camera isn't it's sensor size but the origins FZ150 and ZS15 probably haven't Pana sensor and they have better IQ than ZS20 for example, now from the sensor format of FZ200 I conclude that it has Panasonic sensor and so it may have somehow worse IQ than FZ150

Let go of your preconceived notions about sensor size. The sample images and videos blow me away! I wanted to like the zoom ringed, 2/3 X-S1 but the lens is a real letdown. Soft and drooping at the long end. And the FZ200 even has a touch LCD you can use to set the focus point WHILE using the EVF!

I am personally a bit skeptical when they say that the camera is capable of taking " high-quality " images despite the constant use of f/2.8 which obviously can help keeping low ISO settings most of the time. After all we have a camera with a 1/2.33" sensor here ...6mm x 4.5mm !! Nevertheless, I think that the DMC-FZ200 is a great little toy and will make happy many folks who loves the idea behind the proposed concept.

Aren't all cameras "toys"? Does a vehicle with anything less than a V8 eight liter engine qualify only as a kiddie car? Actually, some times it helps to use a camera that appears to be "only a toy."

It is possible to take a great photo with a disposable camera, while shooting 1,000s of unremarkable ones with an expensive one. Subject matter, composition, and modest amounts of editing help.

Many people are impressed by photos shot with phones with smaller sensors. On the other hand, photographs shot by "great names" win high bids at auctions, with grisly subjects and coarse IQ, without any qualms about the camera used.

Cheze, you are exactly right of course. But, it is hopeless here. People here need to support their ego and assert their club membership by repeating elements of the creed, one of which is that all small sensor cameras are "toys" with the implication that their dslr makes them important. Ho hum

Fortunately no one in camera development ever really listened to the "large sensor fetishists" who are constantly whining for that elusive "full format pocketable mirrorless with a 24-200/2.8 superzoom" which is the prerequisite for any kind of serious photography.

When film technology took a huge leap in the late 1980ies and early 1990ies I was happy to ditch my medium format gear as the results on 135 became much better than I actually needed.

Now I can see myself ditching my APS-C and full format DSLR gear for a Oly OM-D E-M5 anytime soon. This little camera's output is all I need in terms of quality.

And believe it or not, there are also lots of folks who are just happy with the output (and the price!) of their bridge or even compact superzoom.

They are all tools! The cameras that is, not the people that think compacts are nothing more than toys. [grin] I just feel bad when another parent comes up to me when I happen to have one of my dSLRs and complains that they only have a point-and-shoot camera. They seem to think that just because they don't have a dSLR they can't take great pictures. I try to tell them that the compacts now-a-days can take amazing pictures even if you just want to learn a few simple tips / tricks. Its such a lost opportunity to capture some amazing snaps and memories for their kids. :(

I think that photography is all about the end result. No one ask what camera a person used when they see something they like, they ask who and how they did it. It is the end result, the photo, if that still exists, that is important. :-)

To Arose2: you're right when telling that's the final result that matters. Yet, you're not totally right for the rest: in fact, when people like what you shot, they often ask for what you used as a tool to produce such a nice picture... just to rhapsodize about how that camera takes good pictures. That's a classic, often for boeotians the photographer counts for a negligible amount.

Almost perfect, LCD could have been better, fine quality of EVF - but a bit small says Norwegian reporter. Interesting to see what Canon will come up with. Small grip another so-and-so EVF + LCD and so on? Still a small sensor, but good to see somebody taking surperzooms seriously. Now what will it cost...

I like how this camera get more attention than the G5. This shows that people has more interested in a genuineness exciting fixing lens camera then those countless mirrorless models. It's all about the lens.

@Eigenmeat. Unlike the G2, the G5 won't take an external mike. So as not to make it compete with the future GH5. For a company whose main strength lies in video, it's stupid. The G5, like the G3 and GX 1, are no go.

I would like to recommand those who would like to buy the Leica version to stick on their Panasonic model a piece of red confetti instead. More than a do-it-yourself, it's mere a save-it-yourself. What's more trend-setting ?

And for me, it could be my very first Panasonic camera. Everything happens in this world... That said, it's not already done as we have first to get a good review (hey guys, I'm talking to you, can you hear me ? ) and some tests by ourselves. Cameras are like shoes, never buy one without an extensive good try in shop !